On the morning of March 18, a delegation from the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA) and the Maritime Talent Cultivation Alliance (hereinafter referred to as "the Delegation"), led by Yang Xianxiang, Chairman of the HKSOA China Committee and Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd., visited Dalian Maritime University (DMU) for exchanges. President Shan Hongjun attended the welcome ceremony and delivered a speech.

Shan Hongjun, on behalf of the university, extended a warm welcome to the delegation and briefly introduced the university's history, educational characteristics, talent cultivation, disciplines, and scientific research. He emphasized that DMU attaches great importance to exchanges and cooperation with the Hong Kong shipping sector. As a founding member of the Maritime Talent Cultivation Alliance, the university is willing to work together with other alliance members to actively promote the integration of industry and education in the shipping sector, to fulfill the alliance's vision and mission, to guide more outstanding young people to understand, love, and devote themselves to the shipping industry, and to cultivate more maritime talents with a global perspective and a sense of responsibility for the times, making new and greater contributions to the high-quality development of the national shipping industry and the sustainable development of global shipping.

In his speech, Yang Xianxiang noted that Dalian Maritime University enjoys a strong reputation in the field of international maritime education, with advanced educational philosophies and a solid research foundation, making it a reliable and important partner. He expressed hope for strengthened communication, closer cooperation, and joint development in the future.

Chan Pui Shan, Managing Director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and Council Member of the China Overseas Friendship Association, expressed her hope that this collaboration would further strengthen the ties between Hong Kong's maritime sector and the university, fostering efficient coordination, innovative development, and joint efforts to build an integrated platform for industry-academia-research-application.

SO Kwok Hay, representative of the Maritime Talent Cultivation Alliance and Director of the School of Innovation at the University of Hong Kong, expressed his hope for further inter-institutional exchanges, contributing to areas such as interdisciplinary and innovative talent cultivation, and jointly exploring broader development opportunities.

Wu Zelai, a student from the Class of 2025 at DMU's Law School, spoke as a student representative, expressing gratitude to the HKSOA and the Maritime Talent Cultivation Alliance for their support in the growth and development of the younger generation.

At the welcome ceremony, DMU and SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd. signed a cooperation agreement, with President Shan Hongjun and Yang Xianxiang signing on behalf of their respective sides. According to the agreement, Dalian Maritime University and SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd. will further deepen collaboration in areas such as joint talent cultivation, research cooperation, business exchanges, and charitable donations.

Following the welcome ceremony, the university held in-depth discussions with the Maritime Talent Cultivation Alliance Delegation on topics such as maritime talent cultivation.

During their visit, the Delegation also toured the Maritime Education Museum, the Navigation Simulator, the Underwater Robotics Laboratory, and other facilities.

Relevant leaders from the University Administration Office (Confidentiality Office), the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office, the Academic Affairs Office, the Alumni Affairs and Student Career Development Office, the Navigation College, and the Marine Engineering College participated in the above activities.